How to Get a Broker License in Pennsylvania

Obtaining a Pennsylvania Real Estate Broker License is crucial if you’re looking to advance your real estate career. Despite the streamlined online application process, many aspiring real estate brokers find the requirements and procedures complex and challenging.

This How to Get a Broker License in Pennsylvania article will guide you through each step of the process, ensuring you have a clear understanding of what it takes to achieve this license and elevate your real estate career as quickly as possible.

Pennsylvania Real Estate Broker License

In order to get your Pennsylvania real estate broker license and take your career to the next level, there are several key steps you’ll need to complete, including:

1. Ensuring You Meet the Eligibility and Experience Requirements
2. Completing the Mandatory Pre-Licensing Education
3. Submitting a License Application
4. Passing the Pennsylvania Broker Licensing Exam

In the sections below, we’ve explored each of these steps in more detail.

Note: If you’re just starting out, you’ll need to check out our Pennsylvania Real Estate License guide instead.

Step 1: Meet the Pennsylvania Eligibility and Experience Requirements

Before proceeding with the application process for your Pennsylvania real estate broker license, you’ll need to first make sure that you meet the general prerequisites outlined under the Title 49, Chapter 35, Section 35.221 of the Pennsylvania Code:

• You will need to be at least 21 years of age
• You will need to hold a high school diploma or its equivalent
• You will need to have at least three years of work experience as a licensed real estate salesperson

Note: If you currently hold an active real estate license in another state, you may be eligible for a reciprocal license under the Real Estate Licensing and Registration Act. For more information, you should reach out to the Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission.

Step 2: Complete the Mandatory Pre-Licensing Education

Beyond the general requirements mentioned earlier, you must also fulfill specific educational prerequisites to be able to apply for a Pennsylvania real estate broker license.

In particular, this will involve completing a total of 16 credits (240 hours) of approved broker real estate education, structured as follows:

• Mandatory Classes: You will need to complete two mandatory courses approved by the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission:
• Real Estate Law: 2 credits (30 hours)
• Real Estate Office Management: 2 credits (30 hours)
• Core Classes: You will need to take a minimum of three core courses from the following Commission-developed Broker course list:
• Real Estate Finance
• Real Estate Investment
• Real Estate Sales
• Valuation of Residential Property
• Residential Constructions
• Residential Property Management
• Basic Appraisal Procedures
• Basic Appraisal Principles
• Elective Classes: You will also need to complete an additional 6 credits (90 hours) from either the core courses previously listed or other approved elective options.

Note: Keep in mind that if you possess a Bachelor’s degree with a major in Real Estate from an accredited college, or a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school, you may qualify for an exemption from the educational requirements.

Step 3: Submit a License Application

After completing your pre-licensing education and ensuring that you satisfy all other licensing requirements, you’ll be ready to move on to submitting your license application.

To do this, you will need to visit the Pennsylvania Licensing portal, create an account, and submit an initial broker license application.

You will then need to upload your pre-licensing education completion certificates, evidence of your work experience, and a recent Criminal History Records Check (CHRC) obtained from the Pennsylvania State Police.

In order to complete your submission, you will also need to pay two fees: a $97 initial licensing fee and a $40 broker examination fee.

Once your application and fees are processed, you will receive a notification directly from the state testing vendor in order to schedule your licensing exam.

Step 4: Pass the Broker Licensing Exam

In Pennsylvania, this three and a half hour exam is administered by Pearson VUE and comprises 120 questions divided across two sections: a National portion and a State-Specific portion.

In order to schedule your real estate broker exam, you’ll need to make an online reservation using the Pearson VUE website. Note that you’ll need to create an account for this service if this is your first time using it, after which you’ll be shown step-by-step instructions on how to complete your reservation.

Keep in mind that you’ll be required to pay a $49 fee per exam section at the time of reservation, as this cannot be paid at the exam center.

In order to pass, you’ll need to obtain a minimum score of 75% on each section.

You’ll find out how you performed on this exam immediately after finishing and should receive your passing exam score sheet with a full breakdown a few days afterwards.

After passing the exam, you will need to log back into the Pennsylvania Licensing portal to request that your broker license be issued.

Note: Your exam results will remain valid for a period of three years; you will need to complete the licensing process within this period or you will be required to retake the examinations.

Step 5: Application Review

If you’ve managed to get this far, congratulations!

Your application will undergo a final review by the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission, which typically takes around 10 business days, after which your licensing document will be issued.

Keep in mind that this timeframe may vary depending on the current volume of applications and the completeness of your submission.

Be sure to take some time to celebrate your accomplishment. You’ve put in a lot of work and effort and deserve a celebration!

Pennsylvania Real Estate License Renewal

In order to keep your real estate broker license valid, you’ll need to renew it every two years. To do this, you will need to log in to your Pennsylvania Licensing portal account and pay a $96 renewal fee.

Keep in mind that during the two year period, you will need to complete 14 hours of continuing education on topics approved by the Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission.

We always encourage our readers to think of the post licensing course they take as an investment in their future career — higher quality, more reliable course content is a central part of ensuring you continue to grow professionally.

Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 2649
Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649

Physical Address:
2525 N 7th Street Harrisburg
PA 17110

Phone: (833) DOS-BPOA

Email: RA-REALESTATE@pa.gov 

Website: https://www.pa.gov/en/agencies/dos/department-and-offices/bpoa/boards-commissions/real-estate-commission.html